The No. 3-ranked Long Beach State men’s volleyball team ended its three-game road losing streak Friday by taking down No. 12 UC San Diego in four sets, 21-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-21.
The 49ers were led by senior middle blocker Antwain Aguillard, who posted 11 kills and a .474 hitting percentage. Freshman outside hitter Taylor Crabb added 11 kills of his own, while senior setter Mike Klipsch recorded his second double-double of the season with 37 assists and 13 digs.
Interim head coach Andy Read once again switched up the 49ers lineup, this time adding junior outside hitter Brad Hemmerling late in the first set for a struggling Kyle Friend.
Tritons sophomore outside hitter Carl Eberts led his team with 11 kills, but only posted a .034 hitting percentage.
Defense was key to the 49ers victory. LBSU out-blocked their opponents. 11-4.
LBSU started slow early on. After a 6-6 tie, the 49ers would not get a lead again, allowing the Tritons to pull away.
The second set was all Hemmerling, who notched five of his 10 kills in the second set alone.
Both teams combined for 11 aces on the match, three of which belonged to UCSD setter Phil Bannan.
Friday’s win was a much-needed pick-me-up for the 49ers, who had lost their first two matches of a three-game road trip.
LBSU will return to action on Wednesday to take on the No. 9 Pepperdine Waves at the Walter Pyramid. The match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.
Both teams faced each other earlier on in the season with LBSU upsetting Pepperdine in five sets.
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